Battery charging assembly

Abstract

A battery charging assembly for charging a battery of a mobile device includes a charging unit, an output assembly and an input assembly. The input assembly is detachably associated with the charging unit and includes an adapter for removable attachment to the charging unit, a power cord, and a plug configured to mate with a style of electrical outlet such that the charging unit is positionable at a remote location from the electrical outlet. The adapter has a latching mechanism for latching the adapter in a receptacle defined in the charging unit.

1. An adapter for coupling a power cord to a receptacle of a charging assembly, said charging assembly having a base wall with the receptacle defined in the base wall, with an electrical contact extending from the receptacle outwardly from the base wall, said adapter comprising:
 a body member configured to detachably seat in the receptacle of the charging assembly and having an electrical contact for mating with an electrical contact positioned in the receptacle, said body member being configured to attach to a power cord and plug, wherein the electrical contact on the body member extends inwardly to mate with the electrical contact in the receptacle, and wherein the body member includes a latching mechanism for latching the body member into the receptacle; 
 a guide pin for guiding the body member into the receptacle, wherein the guide pin is positioned in the receptacle; and 
 a guide bar defined on the body member for interacting with the guide pin. 
 
     
     
       2. The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the guide pin serves as the electrical contact on the charging assembly. 
     
     
       3. An adapter for coupling a power cord to a receptacle of a power converter, said power converter having a base wall with the receptacle defined in the base wall, with an electrical contact extending from the receptacle perpendicular to the base wall, said adapter comprising:
 a body member having an inner face on one side and an outer surface on the opposite side configured to detachably seat in the receptacle of the power converter, and having an electrical contact for mating with an electrical contact positioned in the receptacle, with the inner face of the body member facing into the receptacle, wherein the electrical contact on the body member extends perpendicularly inwardly from the inner face to mate with the electrical contact in the receptacle; and 
 a latching mechanism for removably latching the body member into the receptacle; 
 wherein the latching mechanism includes a spring arm coupled to the inner face of the body member for mating with a contact post positioned in the receptacle and extending outwardly from the power converter. 
 
     
     
       4. The adapter of  claim 3 , further comprising a plunger configured to move the spring arm out of mating engagement with the post. 
     
     
       5. An adapter for coupling a power cord to a receptacle of a power converter, said power converter having a base wall with the receptacle defined in the base wall, with at least one electrical contact extending from the receptacle perpendicular to the base wall, said adapter comprising:
 a body member having an inner face on one side and an outer surface on the opposite side configured to detachably seat in the receptacle of the power converter, and having at least one electrical contact for mating with an electrical contact positioned in the receptacle, with the inner face of the body member facing into the receptacle, wherein the at least one electrical contact on the body member extends perpendicularly inwardly from the inner face to mate with the at least one electrical contact in the receptacle; 
 wherein the body member includes longitudinally extending guide bars positioned on the inner face of the body member and the power converter includes a guide post and a pin that extend outwardly from the receptacle for mating with the guide bars of the body member. 
 
     
     
       6. The adapter of  claim 5  wherein the pin serves as the electrical contact on the power converter. 
     
     
       7. An adapter for coupling a power cord to a receptacle of a power converter, said power converter having a base wall with the receptacle defined in the base wall, with at least one electrical contact extending from the receptacle perpendicular to the base wall, said adapter comprising:
 a body member having an inner face on one side and an outer surface on the opposite side configured to detachably seat in the receptacle of the power converter and having at least one electrical contact for mating with an electrical contact positioned in the receptacle, with the inner face of the body member facing into the receptacle, wherein the at least one electrical contact on the body member extends perpendicularly inwardly from the inner face to mate with the at least one electrical contact in the receptacle; and 
 a latching mechanism for removably latching the body member into the receptacle; 
 wherein the latching mechanism includes a pair of detents that are configured to engage spring-biased ball bearings positioned on the sides of the receptacle.